Computer System Capable of Instantly Showing Electronic Program Guide and Method for Using the Same

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for showing an electronic program guide (EPG) on a computer screen. The computer has EPG data, a desktop application and a TV play program. The method includes the following steps. First, the desktop application program is launched, and an application window is displayed on the screen. Then, the EPG data is retrieved, and program information which is played is shown in the application window. Then, a message showing that the program information is clicked is received. Afterward, the TV play program is launched, and the TV program corresponding to program information is played.

1 . A method for showing an electronic program guide (EPG) on a screen of a computer, wherein the computer has EPG data, a desktop application and a television (TV) play program, the method comprising the steps of:
 launching the desktop application and displaying an application window on the screen;   retrieving the EPG data;   displaying program information which is played in the application window;   receiving a message that the program information is clicked; and   launching the TV play program and playing a TV program corresponding to the program information.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting the computer to a TV system service terminal via a network; and   updating the EPG data.   
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desktop application is a resident program. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying a program shortcut icon of the desktop application at an operating system (OS) taskbar of the computer. 
   
   
       5 . A computer having a TV play program, the computer comprising:
 a memory device storing a desktop application and EPG data;   a screen displaying an OS desktop; and   a processing device for launching the desktop application to generate an application window at the screen and retrieve the EPG data, wherein the playing program information is displayed in the application window;   when the processing device receives a message showing that the program information is clicked, it launches the TV play program and plays a TV program corresponding to the program information at the screen.   
   
   
       6 . The computer according to  claim 5 , wherein the processing device is capable of being connected to a TV system service terminal via a network to update the EPG data. 
   
   
       7 . The computer according to  claim 5 , wherein the desktop application is a resident program.